COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTIONGood tidings to you, Old Friend. We brew our limited release Holiday Ale with fresh ginger root and a hefty dollop of family harvested honey. This fireside companion has a deep ruby-colored body with layers of malt complexity and an intense ginger aroma. Reunite with friends, old and new, and celebrate the season with an Old Friend by your side. Cheers!

Clear reddened amber; the tepid appearance creates an early perception that this is weak and too thin. Gingerbread cookie, molasses, seared pineapple in the aroma. This ultimately lacks depth, but there’s an interesting development that takes place when the initially earthy, almost spruce like ginger root character reveals its pleasantly startling, unique spiciness. The flavor is all ginger and needles, supported by bland caramel, some brown banana and some soggy, leafy earthiness. The malt makeup here doesn’t match up well with the alcohol level, and this can expose some medicinal qualities. Thin palate causes the pressure of sugars to feel more intense than it ought to. The fresh ginger is the saving element for me here, to a point.

Tap at Aster Cafe. Pour is reddish/amber with white head. Aroma of spices and malt. Ginger is noticeable but not overpowering. Taste has hint of spice but finishes sweet. Well balanced. Not a typical over spiced holiday ale.

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